Axolotl Questions

[karina73]

Hi :happy:
This is my first post so sorry if something doesn't make any sense
I have been wanting to get an Axolotl for AGES and have quite a few questions since this will be my first one. Some of these questions are pretty stupid but I just want to make sure that I will do everything right

1) How do I know when my tank has finished cycling?
2) How often do you need to clean the filter?
3) How do you clean a sponge filter?
4) Once the tank has finished cycling, do you need to change any of the water? Can you put the Axolotl in soon after?
5) How often do you change the water and do you have to test the dechlorinated water before you put in in the tank?
6) Do you need to take the Axolotl out of the tank while you do a water change?
7) Do you ever need to do 100% water changes?
8) If you need to take the Axolotl out of the tank, do you just put dechlorinated water into a clean tub? Do you need to test the water first?
9) Is tap water okay to use if its dechlorinated first?
10) Since our water at home is fairly hard, do I need to add anything extra to it?
11) How often do I need to test the water?
12) Do I put the ornaments and plants in after the tank has cycled or before?

Thanks everyone :rofl:

 

[Skudo09]

Welcome I will try to answer your questions as best as possible

1) How do I know when my tank has finished cycling?

Get a liquid testing kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and PH. You will know when it is fully cycled when ammonia and nitrite are zero and you have nitrate (best to keep nitrate below 40ppm by regular water changes). Here is a link on fishless cycling The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community. This is the link I found very helpful in cycling my tank :

2) How often do you need to clean the filter?

Depends on the load on the filter. I generally do weekly water changes on my tank (around 20%) but usually only clean the filter every two weeks. I have 2 axolotls in a 250 litre tank. The filter I use is actually bigger than needed for my tank and it doesn't get dirty quickly.

3) How do you clean a sponge filter?

Rinse the parts in dechlorinated tap water or tank water. Don't use chlorinated tap water as this will kill off all the beneficial bacteria and your cycle may crash.

4) Once the tank has finished cycling, do you need to change any of the water? Can you put the Axolotl in soon after?

Once the cycle is complete you will need to do water changes to keep nitrate under 40ppm. Once you have tested the water and ammonia and nitrite are zero and nitrates are present but below 40ppm, you may add the axolotl.

5) How often do you change the water and do you have to test the dechlorinated water before you put in in the tank

I change water (around 20%) every week. I don't regularly test tap water before adding as I have not found any issues with tap water where I live but some places have ammonia in the tap water so it may be good to test the water first to be sure.

6) Do you need to take the Axolotl out of the tank while you do a water change?

No, you don't need to. Some people do but others leave the axolotls in the tank. It is a personal choice and up to you and what you find easiest. Personally I leave them in the tank. I feel it is less stressful for them and they are well used to the weekly water changes and sometimes chase the syphon .

7) Do you ever need to do 100% water changes?

Generally no, as long as you are diligent in water changes, have a cycled tank. Some circumstances may involve a 100% water change. Such as if there is reason to suspect contamination of the water with a toxic substance and you need to remove the contaminated water or if for some reason you need to keep the axolotl in a tub temporarily (tubs not cycled need 100% water changes to prevent toxic levels of ammonia). If you are doing a fish-in cycle (cycling the tank with the animal inside) you would need to do large daily water changes to ensure levels of ammonia and nitrite do not get to toxic levels.

8) If you need to take the Axolotl out of the tank, do you just put dechlorinated water into a clean tub? Do you need to test the water first?

Dechlorinated water and ensure the temperature is not different to the tank or acclimatise the axolotl to the new temperature to prevent stress from the temperature change. Keep in mind the optimum temperature for axolotls is 16 - 18degrees Celsius. Daily 100% water changes are necessary in the tub

9) Is tap water okay to use if its dechlorinated first?

Tap water is perfectly fine as long as it is dechlorinated first

10) Since our water at home is fairly hard, do I need to add anything extra to it?

Axolotls like hard water so it should be perfectly fine.

11) How often do I need to test the water?

Once cycled, I would test at least once a week. Whilst cycling though (particularly if fish-in cycling), it is best to best every day.

12) Do I put the ornaments and plants in after the tank has cycled or before?

Put them in before you cycle the tank. The more surface areas bacteria has to grow on the quicker the cycle will happen

I hope this helps but you can also find lots of information on axolotl.org and throughout the forum